Biography

Habilitation (University of Pécs, Hungary) 2014

PhD (University of Pécs, Hungary) 2004

MSc (Janus Pannonius University, Pécs, Hungary) 1998

2022-recent: full professor of geology (University of Pécs) and researcher (Szentágothai RC)

2015-2022: associate professor of geology (University of Pécs) and researcher (Szentágothai RC)

2012-2014: assistant professor of geology (University of Pécs) and researcher (Szentágothai RC)

2011-2012: post-doctoral fellow, Institute of Applied Geology (BOKU), Vienna, Austria

2008 visiting fellow, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA

2004-2011: assistant professor of geology, University of Pécs

2002-2004: advanced studies in geology, Eötvös University, Budapest, Hungary

2000-2001: doctoral studies, Universidade do Algarve, CIMA, Portugal

1999 doctoral studies, University of Wolverhampton, UK

Research interests

Working on Late Miocene-Quaternary sedimentology and stratigraphy, mostly in Central Europe.

• Paleosols

• Siliciclastic sedimentology

• Chemical weathering

• LT geochemistry

• Stable isotope geochemistry

• Pliocene-Quaternary megafauna

• Geochemical  proxies in paleoclimatology

Current research opportunities

1. DANUBE LOESS: a geo-scientific network on  palaeoclimatic research (U. Hambach, S. Markovic, G. Újvári, Gy. Varga)

2. Plio/Pleistocene paleonvironmental reconstruction, mammal teeth stable isotopes (T. Vennemann, L. Kocsis)

3. GeoEnergy (Geochem Ltd., Mecsekérc Ltd., Rotaqua Ltd., Rockstudies Ltd., GFZ Potsdam - Geoenergy)

Commette and Society Service

1. Member of

Hungarian Geographical Society (MFT)

Hungarian Geological Society (MhFT)

International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG)

European Geosciences Union (EGU)

Geochemical  Society (GS)

Past Global Changes (PAGES)

International Association of Sedimentologists (IAS)

2. Editorial

       Frontiers in Earth Science (associate editor - Quaternary Science, Geomorphology and Paleoenvironment)

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering  (editor of Geological Oceanography)

Central European Geology (editor of Quaternary Geology)  

3. Peer Review  - Publons

Selected  publication (Full list)

Journal papers: academic

2025

Sendula, E., Albrecht, R., Conceição de Castro, C., Keresztény-Borbás, E., Szabó-Krausz, Z. & Kovács, J. (2025) Characteristics of heat-depleted thermal water re-injection induced water-rock interaction in sandstone reservoir containing carbonate and silicate minerals (Szentes, Hungary). Minerals 15(5), 513, doi: 10.3390/min15050513 

Farkas, B., Woronko, B., Kovács, J. & Fábián, S.Á. (2025) Environmental conditions in the Late Pleistocene at the southern margin of the European periglacial domain (Hungary) inferred from quartz grain microtextures. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes 36, -., doi: 10.1002/ppp.2279 

Myovela, J.L., Aradi, L.E., Spránitz, T., Taracsák, Z., Hegedűs, M., Konečný, P., Kovács, J.  & Berkesi, M. (2025) Application of 3D Raman mapping on complex inclusions: a case study of the Styrian Basin mantle xenoliths (W-Carpathian Pannonian Region).  Journal of Raman Spectroscopy  doi: 10.1002/jrs.6797 

Aditama, M.R., Laksono, FX.A.T., Fadin, F., Purwasatriya, E.B., Kovács, J. & Mishra, M. (2025) Structural Framework and Fault Seal Prediction of the Central Slyne Basin Prospect, Irish Atlantic Margin. Geo-Marine Letters 45:16, doi: 10.1007/s00367-025-00804-w 

2024

Borzí, L., Scala, P.,...... and Kovács, J., Ciraolo, G., Di Stefano, A. (2024). Tsunami propagation and flooding maps: an application in the coastal areas of the Sicilian Channel (Southern Italy).  Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 49(14), 4842–4861., doi: 10.1002/esp.5996 

Gammoudi, N., Kovács, J., Gresina, F. & Varga, G. (2024) Combined use of Hysplit model and MODIS Aerosols Optical Depth to study the spatiotemporal circulation patterns of Saharan dust events over Central Europe.  Aeolian Research 67-69, 100899. doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100899 

Waluyo, G., Laksono, F.A.T., Zaenurrohman, J.A., Mishra, M., Piranti, A.S. & Kovács, J. (2024) Sediment Dredging Assessment of the Mrica Banjarnegara Hydroelectric Reservoir Based on Technical and Economic Aspects. Lake and Reservoir Management 40:145–158., doi: 10.1080/10402381.2024.2319590

Laksono, F.A.T., Mishra, M., Mulyana, B.  & Kovács, J. (2024) Exploring the Mediterranean Tsunami Research Landscape: Scientometric Insights and Future Prospects. Geoenvironmental Disasters 11:6., doi: 10.1186/s40677-024-00269-6 

Słowik, M., Dezső, J., Salem, A., Puhl-Rezsek, M., Gałka, M. & Kovács, J. (2024) The evolution of meandering rivers in sedimentary basins: insights from the lower Drava (Hungary/Croatia). Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 48: 642-663., doi: 10.1002/esp.5726 

2023

Kiss, G.I., Szabó, P., Túri, M., Futó, I., Kovács, J. & Palcsu, L. (2023) Comparison and establishment of a preparation method for oxygen isotope determination of phosphate in mammal teeth. Central European Geology 66, doi: 10.1556/24.2023.00132 

Laksono, F.A.T., Borzí, L., Distefano, S., Czirok, L., Halmai, Á., Di Stefano, A., Kovács, J. (2023) Shoreline Change Dynamics Along the Augusta Coast, Eastern Sicily, South Italy. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 48, 2630-2641., doi: 10.1002/esp.5644 

Farkas, B., Sipos, G., Bartyik, T., Józsa, E., et al. (2023) Characterization and mapping of MIS-2 thermal contraction crack polygons in Western Transdanubia, Hungary. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes 34, 417-427., doi:10.1002/ppp.2190 

2022

Laksono, F.A.T., Borzí, L., Distefano, S., Di Stefano, A., Kovács, J. (2022) Shoreline Prediction Modelling as a Base Tool for Coastal Management:

The Catania Plain Case Study (Italy). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 10, 1988.

Koroncz, P., Farakas, M.P.,  Vízhányó, Z.,  Kunz, M., ....... and Kovács, J. (2022) Experimental Rock Characterisation of Upper Pannonian sandstones from Szentes geothermal field, Hungary. Energies 15,  9136.

Újvári, G., Klötzli, U., Stevens, T., Svensson, A., et al. (2022) Greenland ice core record of last glacial dust sources and atmospheric circulation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmosphere 127, e2022JD036597.

Szabó, P., Kovács, J., Kocsis, L., Vennemann, T., Domingo, L., Újvári, G., Halmai, Á., Pirkhoffer, E. & Codrea, V. (2022) Pliocene - Early Pleistocene continental climate and vegetation in Europe based on stable isotope compositions of mammal tooth enamel. Quaternary Science Reviews 288, 107572.

Słowik, M., Dezső, J., Kovács, J.,  Gałka, M. & Sipos G. (2022) Conditions to preserve sedimentary record of channel planforms in temperate rivers of the Northern Hemisphere. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 127, e2021JF006188.

Laksono, F.A.T., Widagdo, A., Aditama, M.R., Fauzan M.R., Kovács, J. (2022) Tsunami hazard zone and multiple scenarios of tsunami evacuation route at Jetis Beach, Cilacap Regency, Indonesia. Sustainability 14, 2726.

Laksono, F.A.T., Fauzan, M.R., Widagdo, A., Kovács, J. (2022) Karangkemiri village landslide potential risk mapping based on integrating litho-structure and morphology. International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering and Information Technology  12, 681-689.

2021

Słowik, M., Dezső, J., Kovács, J.,  Gałka, M. & Sipos G. (2021) Phases of fluvial activity in loess landscapes: findings from the Sió valley (Transdanubia, Central Europe). Catena 198, 105054.

2020

Kovács, J., Újvári, G., Varga, G., Seelos, K., Szabó, P., Dezső, J. & Gammoudi, N. (2020) Plio-Pleistocene dust traps on paleokarst surfaces: a case study from the Carpathian Basin. Frontiers in Earth Science 8, 189, doi: 10.3389/feart.2020.00189.

Kovács, J., Farics, É., Szabó, P. & Sajó, I. (2020) Fe–Al phosphate microcrystals in pedogenic goethite pisoliths. Minerals 10, 357, doi.org/10.3390/min10040357. 

Kovács, J., Németh, K., Szabó, P., Kocsis, L.,  Kereszturi, G., Újvári, G., & Vennemann, T. (2020) Volcanism and paleoenvironment of the Pula maar complex: A Pliocene terrestrial fossil site in Central Europe (Hungary). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 537, 109398.

Hervai, A., Farics, É., Sisák, I., Farkas, G., Kovács, J. & Lóczy, D. (2020) Influence of flood waves, production wells, and precipitation on shallow groundwater using a linear regression model approach based on a case study of Mohács Island, Hungary. Water 12, 1359, doi.org/10.3390/w12051359.

Słowik, M., Dezső, J., Kovács, J. & Gałka, M. (2020) The formation of low-energy meanders in loess landscapes (Transdanubia, central Europe). Global and Planetary Change 184, 103071. 

Körösi, L., Pertics, B., Schneider, G., Bognár, B., Kovács, J., Maynen, V., Scarpellini, A., Pasquale, L., & Prato, M. (2020) Photocatalytic inactivation of plant pathogenic bacteria using TiO2 nanoparticles prepared hydrothermally. Nanomaterials 10, 1730.

2019

Pernyeszi, T., Farkas, R. & Kovács, J. (2019) Methylene blue adsorption study on microcline particles in the function of particle size range and temperature. Minerals 9, 555, doi.org/10.3390/min9090555. 

Varga, Gy., Gresina, F., Újvári, G., Kovács, J. & Szalai, Z. (2019) On the reliability and comparability of laser diffraction grain size measurements of paleosols in loess records. Sedimentary Geology 389, 42-53.

Varga, Gy., Újvári, G. & Kovács, J. (2019) Interpretation of sedimentary (sub)populations extracted from grain size distributions of Central European loess-paleosol series. Quaternary International 502, 60-70.

2018

Słowik, M., Dezső, J., Marciniak, A., Tóth, G. & Kovács, J. (2018) Evolution of river planforms downstream of dams. Effect of dam construction or earlier human-induced changes? Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 43, 2045–2063.  

Rübsam, W., Müller, T., Kovács J., Pálfy, J. & Schwark, L. (2018) Environmental response to the early Toarcian carbon cycle and climate perturbations in the northeastern part of the West-Tethys shelf. Gondwana Research 59, 144-158.

Varga, Gy., Kovács, J., Szalai, Z., Cserháti, Cs. & Újvári, G. (2018) Granulometric characterization of paleosols in loess series by automated static image analysis. Sedimentary Geology 370, 1-14.

Körösi, L., Bognár, B., Horváth, M., Schneider, G., Kovács, J., Scarpellini, A., Castelli, A., Colombo, M. & Prato, M. (2018) Hydrothermal evolution of PF-co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 231, 115-122.

2017

Újvári, G., Stevens, T., Molnár, M., Demény, A., Lambert, F., Varga, Gy., Jull, A.J.T., Páll-Gergely, B., Buylaert, J.-P. and Kovács, J. (2017) Coupled European and Greenland last glacial dust activity driven by North Atlantic climate. PNAS 114, 10632–10638. doi/10.1073/pnas.1712651114.

Szabó, P., Kocsis, L., Vennemann, T., Pandolfi, L., Kovács, J., Martinetto, E. & Demény, A. (2017) Pliocene-Early Pleistocene climatic trends in the Italian Peninsula based on stable oxygen and carbon isotope composition of rhinoceros and gomphothere tooth enamel. Quaternary Science Reviews 157, 52–65.

Polgári, M., Szaniszló, B., Horiuchi. K,(...........), Kovács, J. & Dódony, I. (2017) Characterization and 10Be content of iron carbonate concretions for genetic aspects - Weathering, desert varnish or burning: rim effects in iron carbonate concretions. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 173, 58–69.

2016

Varga, Gy., Cserháti, Cs., Kovács, J. & Szalai, Z. (2016) Saharan dust deposition in the Carpathian Basin and its possible effects on interglacial soil formation. Aeolian Research 22, 1–12.

Újvári, G., Kok, J.F., Varga, Gy. & Kovács, J. (2016) The physics of wind-blown loess: implications for grain size proxy interpretations in Quaternary paleoclimate studies. Earth-Science Reviews 154, 247–278.

Körösi, L., Dömötör, D., Scarpellini, A., Prato, M., Kovács, J., Kovács, T. & Papp, S. (2016) H2O2-assisted photocatalysis on flower-like rutile TiO2 nanostructures: Rapid dye degradation and inactivation of bacteria. Applied Surface Science 365, 171–179.

2015

Újvári, G., Stevens, T., Svensson, A., Klötzli, U., Manning, C., Németh, T., Kovács, J., Sweeney, M., Gocke, M., Wiesenberg, G., Markovic S., & Zech M. (2015) Two possible source regions for Central Greenland last glacial dust. Geophysical Research Letters 42, 10399–10408.

Kovács, J., Szabó, P., Kocsis, L., Vennemann, T., Sabol, M., Gasparik, M. & Virág, A. (2015) Pliocene and Early Pleistocene paleoenvironmental conditions in the Pannonian Basin (Hungary, Slovakia): stable isotope analyses of fossil proboscidean and perissodactyl teeth. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 440, 455–466.

Markovic, S.B., Stevens, T., Kukla, G.J.,(...........), Kovács, J. & Svircev, Z. (2015) Danube loess stratigraphy – Towards a pan-European loess stratigraphic model. Earth-Science Reviews 148, 228–258.

Körösi, L., Prato, M., Scarpellini, A., Kovács, J., Meynen, V. & Papp, S. (2015) Hydrothermal synthesis, structure and photocatalytic activity of PF-co- doped TiO2. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing 30, 442–450.

Kovács, J., Sajó, I., Márton, Zs., Jáger, V., Hegedüs, T., Berecz, T., Tóth,T.,  Gyenizse, P. & Podobni, A. (2015) Csátalja, the largest H4–5 chondrite from Hungary. Planetary and Space Science 105, 94–100.

Sajó, I., Kovács, J., Fitzsimmons, K.E., Jáger, V., Lengyel, Gy., Viola, B., Talamo, S. & Hublin, J.-J. (2015) Core-shell processing of natural pigment: Upper Palaeolithic red ochre from Lovas, Hungary. PLoS ONE 10(7): e0131762. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0131762

2014

Újvári, G., Molnár, M., Novotny, Á., Páll-Gergely, B., Kovács, J., Várhegyi, A. (2014) AMS 14C and OSL/IRSL dating of the Dunaszekcső loess sequence (Hungary): chronology for 20 to 150 ka and implications for establishing reliable age-depth models for the last 40 ka. Quaternary Science Reviews 106, 140–154.

Varga, Gy., Cserháti, Cs., Kovács, J., Szeberényi, J. & Bradák, B. (2014) Unusual Saharan dust events in the Carpathian Basin (Central Europe) in 2013 and early 2014. Weather 69, 309–313.

Varga, Gy., Újvári, G., Kovács, J. (2014) Spatiotemporal patterns of Saharan dust outbreaks in the Mediterranean Basin. Aeolian Research 15, 151– 160.

Fábián, Sz. Á., Kovács, J., Varga, G., Sipos, Gy., Horváth, Z., Thamó-Bozsó, E. & Tóth, G. (2014) Distribution of relict permafrost features in Pannonian Basin (Hungary). Boreas 43, 722–732.

Újvári, G., Varga, A., Raucsik, B., Kovács, J. (2014) The Paks loess-paleosol sequence: a record of chemical weathering and provenance for the last 800 ka in the mid-Carpathian Basin. Quaternary International 319, 22–37.

2013

Katona, L.T., Kovács, J., Magyar, I., Sötő-Szentai, M. & Berta, T. (2013) A new occurrence of classic “Árpád-type” mollusk fauna from the Upper Miocene of Kozármisleny, southern Hungary. Geologia Croatica 66, 111–118.

Kovács, J., Raucsik, B., Varga, A., Újvári, G., Varga, Gy. & Ottner, F. (2013) Clay Mineralogy of Red Clay Deposits from the Central Carpathian Basin (Hungary): Implications for Plio/Pleistocene Chemical Weathering and Paleoclimate. Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences 22, 414–426.

Varga, Gy., Kovács, J., Újvári, G., (2013) Analysis of Saharan dust intrusions into the Carpathian Basin (Central Europe) over the period of 1979-2011. Global and Planetary Change 100, 333–342.

2012

Varga, Gy., Kovács J. & Újvári, G. (2012) Late Pleistocene variations of the background aeolian dust concentration in the Carpathian Basin: an estimate using decomposition of grain-size distribution curves of loess deposits. Netherlands Journal of Geosciences - Geologie en Mijnbouw 91,159–171.

Kovács J., Moravcova M., Ujvari G., Pinter A.G. (2012) Reconstructing the paleoenvironment of East Central Europe in the Late Pleistocene using the oxygen and carbon isotopic signal of tooth in large mammal remains. Quaternary International 276-277, 145–154.

Újvári, G., Varga, A., Ramos, F.C., Kovács J., Németh, T. & Stevens, T. (2012) Evaluating the use of clay mineralogy, Sr-Nd isotopes and zircon U-Pb ages in tracking dust provenance: an example from loess of the Carpathian Basin. Chemical Geology 304–305, 83–96.

Kovács J. (2012) Radiocarbon chronology of Late Pleistocene large mammal faunas from the Pannonian basin (Hungary). Bulletin of Geosciences 87, 13–19.

Katona, L., Kovács J., Kordos, L., Szappanos, B. & Linkai, I. (2012) The Csajág mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius) – Late Pleniglacial finds from Hungary and their chronological significance. Quaternary International 255, 130–138.

2011-2007

Kovács J., Fábián, Sz.Á., Varga, G., Újvári, G., Varga, Gy. & Dezső, J. (2011) Plio-Pleistocene red clay deposits in the Pannonian basin: A review. Quaternary International 240, 35–43.

Kereszturi, G.,  Németh, K., Csillag, G., Balogh, K. & Kovács J.(2011) The role of external environmental factors in changing eruption  styles of monogenetic volcanoes in a Mio/Pleistocene continental volcanic  field in western Hungary. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 201, 227–240.

Újvári, G., Kovács J., Varga, Gy., Raucsik, B. & Markovic, S.B., 2010. Dust flux estimates for the Last Glacial Period in East Central Europe based on terrestrial records of loess deposits: a review. Quaternary Science Reviews 29, 3157-3166.

Konrád, Gy., Kovács J., Halász, A., Sebe, K. & Pálffy, H. (2010) Late Quaternary woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius Blum.) remains from southern Transdanubia, Hungary. Comptes Rendus Palevol 9, 47–54.

Kovács J. (2008) Grain-size analysis of the Neogene red clay formation in the Pannonian Basin. International Journal of Earth Sciences 97, 171– 178.

Kovács J. (2007) Chemical weathering intensity of the Late Cenozoic red clay deposits in the Carpathian Basin. Geochemistry International 45, 1056–1063.